Maternity figure – Wood – Phemba / Yombe – Congo

Description

Powerfull Phemba / Yombe maternity figure from DR Congo.
The 300,000 YOMBE people are artistically prolific. Their maternity figures have a high pointed or rounded coiffure incised with geometric motifs.
This superb example of Kongo sculpture shows the emphasis given to the head and detailed body. This female figure embodied a gentler spiritual force then the threatening male figures and was used for fertility rituals. The figure is carrying a child on her left arm.
Good condition with beautiful aged patina.

Object

Maternity Figure

Ethnic group:

Phemba / Yombe

Country:

Congo

Material:

Wood

Estimated period:

Mid 20th century

Sold with stand:

No

Dimensions:

30x11x10 cm

Weight:

750 gram

Condition:

Good condition, used with some signs of wear

Reserve: $180.00

Shipping:

Domestic: Flat-rate of $45.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S.

International: Foreign shipping rates are determined by destination. International shipping may be subject to VAT.

Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding.

Location: This item ships from Netherlands

Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.

Buyer's Premium

20%

Maternity figure – Wood – Phemba / Yombe – Congo

Lot 0072

Estimate $200-$250May 20, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT

Starting Price

Secure

$140

SET YOUR MAX BID

Good Bid

Strong Bid

Competitive Bid

Or select a higher max bid amount

Get approved to bid.

LiveAuctioneers Purchase Protection

Vetted auction houses

Secure, online bidding

Returns guaranteed for misrepresented listings

Dedicated support when you need it

Decorative Tribal Art Sale

May 20, 2026 12:00 PM EDT

New York, NY, United States

Ancestor statue – Wood – Moba – Togo: Stylistic wooden ancestor statue of the Moba tribe from Togo. The abstract style of the Losso Moba statues has quickly gained popularity. This is a beautiful old and authentic statue. Features the

3 days LeftAncestor statue – Wood – Moba – Togo

Helmet Mask – Wood – Mende – Sierra Leone: A large helmet mask from the Mende people living in Liberia and Sierra Leone. As symbol of idealized feminine beauty these masks are exclusively worn by women; they play an important role in the

3 days LeftHelmet Mask – Wood – Mende – Sierra Leone

Byeri Figure – Wood – Fang – Gabon: Powerfull wooden Fang Byeri figure form Gabon. Fang Byeri figures are usually characterized as a seated male figure. He has bent legs and an elongated torso, The Fang occupy such a large geographical

3 days LeftByeri Figure – Wood – Fang – Gabon

Ancestor figure – Wood – Dogon – Mali: Large Dogon ancestor figure from Mali, total length: 100 cm! Stylish wooden male ancestor figure from the DOGON tribe, Mali. Good condition with beautiful aged patina. Dogon figures are predominantly

3 days LeftAncestor figure – Wood – Dogon – Mali

Katanga cross currency – Iron – DR Congo: A beautiful old Katanga Cross which was used as a means of payment for centuries in former Belgian Congo. They were already used as currency in the 14th century. They exist in several dimensions and

3 days LeftKatanga cross currency – Iron – DR Congo

African Art Cute GAN? Brass figurine 3 snakes bronze Burkina Faso: Probably GAN, from Burkina Faso Three intertwined snakes Cute bronze figurine (technically, it's brass, like the majority of African bronzes) Side length: 2 3/4 inches (7 cm) Reserve: $35.00

3 days LeftAfrican Art Cute GAN? Brass figurine 3 snakes bronze Burkina Faso

Power Figure – Wood – Bembe – DR Congo: Great refined ancestor figure with child on his back from the Babembe people of DR Congo. Good aged patina with beautifull scarifications on the body. The function of Bembe art is said to be

3 days LeftPower Figure – Wood – Bembe – DR Congo

Crest Mask – Wood, Antelope skin – Ejagham – Ekoi – Nigeria: Stunning crest mask with multiple faces from the Ejagham tribe of Nigeria. The Ejaghams live in the Cross River area. They are best known for their wooden crests covered with animal skin. The

3 days LeftCrest Mask – Wood, Antelope skin – Ejagham – Ekoi – Nigeria

Dance mask – Wood – Bete – Ivory Coast: Stunning Bete mask from Ivory Coast. Stunning Bete mask from Ivory Coast. This type of mask was worn for a variety of ceremonies, including entertainment dances. The Ivory Coast is home of the BETE,

3 days LeftDance mask – Wood – Bete – Ivory Coast

Ceremonial Pipe – Bone, Wood – Lega – DR Congo: Large and unique wooden pipe with bone figures from the Lega tribe of DR Congo. The pipe is a prestigious object, essentially male, that indicates the rank of its owner. They can sometimes reach

3 days LeftCeremonial Pipe – Bone, Wood – Lega – DR Congo

Warrior Figure – Bronze – Edo – Benin: Large and heavy bronze warrior figure from Benin. African, Benin / Edo people of Nigeria, large bronze statue depicting a standing warrior, likely an Oba chief, wielding a pierced knife and wearing a

3 days LeftWarrior Figure – Bronze – Edo – Benin

Cute decorative Hemba figure wooden african sculpture Congo: HEMBA Congo DRC - 33 cm (About 13 inches high) Cute decorative sculpture Wood Average condition Reserve: $125.00 Shipping: Domestic: Flat-rate of $50.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S.

3 days LeftCute decorative Hemba figure wooden african sculpture Congo

Nkisi Figure – Wood, Nails – Yombe – Congo: Very complete Nkisi fetish figure from the Yombe tribe of DR Congo. A Nkisi refers to the spiritual nature of the figure where nkondi refers to the power of the figure itself. Spiritual and religious

3 days LeftNkisi Figure – Wood, Nails – Yombe – Congo

Initiation mask – Wood – Punu – Gabon: Decorative wooden initiation mask from the PUNU tribe, Gabon. PUNU masks are thought to represent ancestors` faces. They are worn during funerals and by a Moukouji initiate who stands on stilts. This

3 days LeftInitiation mask – Wood – Punu – Gabon

African Art Zoomorphic Lega Figure Bird Animal Statue sculpture Congo drc: LEGA Zoomorphic Figure Congo Drc MATERIAL: Wood DIMENSIONS: 19 cm lenght About 7 1/2 inches CONDITION : Medium Reserve: $150.00 Shipping: Domestic: Flat-rate of $50.00 to anywhere within the

3 days LeftAfrican Art Zoomorphic Lega Figure Bird Animal Statue sculpture Congo drc

Figure – Wood, Glass – Bakongo Vili – Congo: Stylistic Bakongo Vili ancestor figure from Congo. Powerful appearance with with a great aged patina with traces of tribal use. Object: Figure Ethnic group: Bakongo Vili Country: DR Congo Material:

3 days LeftFigure – Wood, Glass – Bakongo Vili – Congo

Memorial Figure – Wood – Bangwa – Cameroon: Memorial figures were carved of titled royal wives or princesses, and are often refered to as Bangwa Queens. They were honored as priestesses of the earth cult and were displayed lining the verandas

3 days LeftMemorial Figure – Wood – Bangwa – Cameroon

Yanda doll – Wood, Metal – Zande – Congo: Beautiful wooden Zande doll from DR Congo. The Zande sculpt small statuettes which measure from 10 to 30 cm, named Yanda, of an animal or human shape, they have an apotropaic role and are exhibited

3 days LeftYanda doll – Wood, Metal – Zande – Congo

Venavi figure – Wood- Ewe – Togo: A fine venavi figure made out of wood. This miniature is used as a doll among the Ewe people. The Ewe people of Ghana celebrate the birth of twins as a good omen. Twins known as Venavi, lead a life

3 days LeftVenavi figure – Wood- Ewe – Togo

Figure – Wood, Glass – Bakongo – Congo: Stylistic Bakongo Vili ancestor figure from Congo. Powerful appearance with with a great aged patina with traces of tribal use. Figure is painted half white half red. Provenance: former private

3 days LeftFigure – Wood, Glass – Bakongo – Congo

Related Items

‡ Baule Male Figure from the Master of Essankro or Sakassou: Ivory Coast Wood, 45,5 cm Provenance: Private collection, USA Fily Konate, California Reginald Groux, Paris, July 2001 Max Rouayroux Collection, Nice Sotheby's Paris, 2 Decembre 2015,

Jun 09, 2026‡ Baule Male Figure from the Master of Essankro or Sakassou

A Lobi Shrine Figure, "bateba phuwe": Schreinfigur, "bateba phuwe" Lobi. Burkina Faso Mit Sockel / with base Holz. H 69 cm. Provenienz: Westschweizer Privatsammlung. bateba-Schreinfiguren der Lobi vereinten menschenähnliches Aussehen

3 days LeftA Lobi Shrine Figure, "bateba phuwe"

A Kulango anthropomorphic Heddle Pulley: Anthropomorpher Rollenzug Kulango (Nafana, Abron). Côte d’Ivoire, Region von Bondoukou Mit Sockel / with base Holz. H 18,5 cm. Provenienz: - Samir Borro, Paris. - 1980: Hr. Germann senior.

3 days LeftA Kulango anthropomorphic Heddle Pulley

A Baule Figure, "waka sona" ("blolo-bla"): Stehende Figur, "waka sona" ("blolo-bla") Baule. Côte d’Ivoire Ohne Sockel / without base Holz. H 27 cm. Provenienz: - Karl Woermann (1844-1933), Hamburg. - Sieghart Ott (1934-2005), Mü

4 days LeftA Baule Figure, "waka sona" ("blolo-bla")

Featured

Power Figure – Wood. Horn, Copper – Songye – Congo: Powerfull Songyer figure from DR Congo. Enormous wooden ancestor figure of the SONGYE tribe from D.R. Congo. Total length: 104 cm, total weight 14.5 kg! It served to protect the family against disease

3 days LeftPower Figure – Wood. Horn, Copper – Songye – Congo

Featured

Nkisi Figure – Wood, Nails – Yombe – Congo – Ex Michael Gaud: Provenance: Alfons Bermel (Berlin, Germany) Michael Gaud (Saint Tropez, France) Very complete Nkisi fetish figure from the Yombe tribe of DR Congo. A Nkisi refers to the spiritual nature of the figure

3 days LeftNkisi Figure – Wood, Nails – Yombe – Congo – Ex Michael Gaud

Featured

Ancestor figure – Wood – Luba – DR Congo: Ex Zemanek-Münster Provenance: Justin Barthels (Maastricht, NL) The downcast eyes and the gesture of the hands give the figure a contemplative dinified expression. Rich scarification indictes hig

3 days LeftAncestor figure – Wood – Luba – DR Congo

Ancestor figure – Baule – Wood – Ivory Coast – Schädler certificate: Great hand mask of the YAKA tribe, Africa, CONGO. Piece with an unmatched appearance! In good condition. The mask was held high during initiation rituals, so it towered above the masses. The item is i

3 days LeftAncestor figure – Baule – Wood – Ivory Coast – Schädler certificate

Maternity figure – Wood – Yoruba – Nigeria: Extraordinary wooden maternity figure from the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria. Exhibiting a wide diversity in size, symbolism, intimacy and style. African maternity figures depict the ideals of beauty, ferti

3 days LeftMaternity figure – Wood – Yoruba – Nigeria

Featured

Memorial Figure – Wood – Bangwa – Cameroon: Memorial figures were carved of titled royal wives or princesses, and are often refered to as Bangwa Queens. They were honored as priestesses of the earth cult and were displayed lining the verandas o

3 days LeftMemorial Figure – Wood – Bangwa – Cameroon

Ogboni Figure: Nigeria. Metal alloy “onile” a kneeling male shrine figure, with loop atop head, large bulging eyes, hands in Oshugbo gesture, bare genitalia, and on integral squared base. Pressure crack on c

4 days LeftOgboni Figure

Shrine Figure – Wood – Urhubo – Nigeria: Powerfull wooden Urhobo shrine / maternity figure from Nigeria. Large figure, total length: 118 cm! Exhibiting a wide diversity in size, symbolism, intimacy and style. African maternity figures depict

3 days LeftShrine Figure – Wood – Urhubo – Nigeria

TOP